Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal. 5:25)
I have tried to run two marathons in my life. In the first one, I came upon a hill somewhere in the middle of the eighteenth mile. I told myself, “I’ll just stop running to walk up this hill. Then I’ll start running again.” It did not happen. Even though I tried several times, I mostly walked the remaining eight miles.
The second time I was determined not to walk at all. Even if I had to slow down to where you could walk faster than me, I would not stop. I managed to finish that marathon without stopping.
The passages we have read this week have all related to a life that is powered by the Holy Spirit. We started with Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit on the disciples so that they could go on the great mission to the world. Then we read in Galatians 5 where Paul gave them the recipe for a Spirit-directed life.
Galatians 5:25 ends that passage, reminding us that we really have no excuses. If we are in Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit. We have the power at hand. We only need to keep walking. Sometimes we walk faster than at other times. Sometimes life slows us down. But we cannot stop. If we fall, we get right back up, because God will be with us to the end.
Take a moment to reflect on the fruit of your life.
Ken Schenck is vice president for planning and innovation at Houghton College (NY) and a professor in New Testament. He previously served as dean of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
